Norway – Undisputed World Leader for Electric Cars

Oil-rich Norway leads way on electric cars as a part of its green taxation shift.Over half new car sales are now electric or hybrid.

In March, Norway notched up a record of 8,034 emission-free vehicles, representing 55.8% of all new car registrations in the month. Nearly a third of all new cars sold in the country this year will be plug-in models. These figures are a result of generous subsidies on electric cars.

Registrations of EVs in Norway 2004 – 2017

Experts say Oslo’s carrot-and-stick approach to incentivizing electric cars has seen their popularity surge in recent years.

Nearly a third of all new cars sold in the country this year will be plug-in models

Buyers do not pay import tax and VAT on plug-in cars. So, Norwegians are shaving thousands of dollars off the upfront cost. Running costs are lower because electricity is cheaper than petrol and diesel, while road tax is reduced – and will drop to zero next year. In addition, electric car owners have free or subsidized parking, re-charging and use of toll roads, ferries and tunnels.

Buyers do not pay import tax and VAT on plug-in cars

Norway has pushed manufacturers towards electric by imposing strict pollution limits and saying all new cars sold by 2025 must be emission-free.